DOT Sues Southwest Airlines Over ‘Chronically Delayed’ Flights

DOT Sues Southwest Airlines Over Chronically Delayed | Mr. Business Magazine

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, accusing the airline of operating two flight routes with consistent delays in 2022, which resulted in 180 flight disruptions.

Filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit seeks maximum civil penalties. The DOT claims Southwest Airlines has negatively impacted passengers and fair competition across the airline industry by continuing to operate two persistently delayed routes between Chicago Midway and Oakland, California, and Baltimore and Cleveland.

The disruptions took place between April and August 2022, during the same year the airline experienced its worst operational failure in its more than 50-year history. These flights were delayed consistently for five consecutive months.

According to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics submitted to the DOT, Southwest was responsible for over 90% of the delays on these routes during that period.

Definition of a Chronically Delayed Flight

The DOT defines a “chronically delayed” flight as one that operates at least 10 times a month and arrives late more than 50% of the time. Cancellations and diversions are also factored into the department’s delay calculations.

The DOT emphasized that airlines are legally required to ensure their flight schedules reflect realistic departure and arrival times. The department stated that this legal action sends a message to all airlines that it is committed to enforcing passenger protection policies in court when necessary.

Southwest’s Response

Southwest Airlines expressed disappointment regarding the DOT’s decision to file the lawsuit based on events that occurred over two years ago. The airline pointed out that it completed over 99% of its scheduled flights in 2024 without cancellations.

The company defended its performance, highlighting that since the DOT introduced its Chronically Delayed Flight policy in 2009, Southwest has operated over 20 million flights without similar violations. The airline argued that the claim suggesting the two delayed routes reflected an unrealistic schedule was not credible when compared to its overall performance over the past 15 years.

Ongoing Operational Challenges for Southwest

The lawsuit where DOT sues Southwest Airlines adds to the airline’s current operational challenges. Recently, Southwest announced several cost-cutting measures, such as pausing corporate hiring, promotions, and some summer internship programs. Additionally, the airline suspended long-standing employee rallies, a tradition dating back to its earliest years of operation.

These measures follow pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which had been urging the airline to make significant changes throughout the summer. The dispute was resolved in October with a settlement between the two parties.

Broader Airline Penalties

Southwest is not the only airline facing penalties for flight delays. The DOT has also imposed a $650,000 civil fine on budget carrier Frontier Airlines for similar issues. Of this amount, $325,000 will be paid to the US Treasury, while the remaining half will be suspended, provided the airline avoids operating chronically delayed flights for the next three years.

JetBlue Airways was also fined $2 million earlier this month for operating four chronically delayed flights on at least 145 occasions between June 2022 and November 2023. Each of these flights was delayed for five or more consecutive months, prompting the DOT’s action.

Focus on Passenger Rights

The DOT’s recent actions highlight its renewed focus on holding airlines accountable for consistent delays that impact passengers. The department continues to stress the importance of fair scheduling practices and timely travel experiences across the airline industry.

Share Now:

LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Pinterest